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Sergio Marchionne, the former head of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles who died earlier this year, was honored with the title of Personality of the Year while two Fiat Chrysler products – the Ram 1500 pickup and the Jeep Wrangler – were rewarded for the year 's truck and year – round SUV award. at the event.
The price of the car of the year has been awarded to the new Genesis G70, a compact luxury sedan of the new luxury division of Hyundai.
The magazine's editors praised Marchionne's leadership on Fiat and Chrysler, highlighting how he returned each company as they moved closer to the edge and combined them to create a new industrial powerhouse. He was also remembered for his keen and demanding eye for the products. The magazine noted Marchionne's reputation for getting designers and engineers to rework their designs until they feel good.
Her demanding approach has been highlighted in both award-winning products this year, as well as in the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which was named last year's car, according to the magazine.
Only vehicles that are completely or substantially redesigned for the model year are eligible for these awards. The vehicles are tested side by side and evaluated on the basis of six criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, technical excellence and desired performance.
The Ram Truck was tested at the Fiat Chrysler test site in Arizona, where temperatures regularly reached "well above three digits," according to the magazine. MotorTrend's editors were impressed by the truck's ride quality, thanks to its sophisticated suspension, as well as its well-appointed interior, equipped with tools and storage bins for various uses. In addition, its unique soft hybrid system promotes fuel economy and performance, the magazine noted.
The Ram beat the new General Motors Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, both finalists, for the award. Trucks are huge profit generators for these companies and the fight for buyers can be fierce. A face-to-face victory with the best new GM trucks gives the Ram pickup true bragging rights that will undoubtedly be leveraged for good marketing use.
"It's huge for Ram to win, but when you pilot the product and test it as we did, it was not close at all," said Ed Loh, editor-in-chief. from MotorTrend.
The Jeep Wrangler, while being a brand new design, retains the unmistakable look of Wrangler, which dates back to 70 years, from the original Military Jeeps. The new Wrangler offers better driving and driving characteristics on and off the road, the magazine noted, without sacrificing any capacity. Like the Ram, it is also available with a new mild hybrid system that uses batteries to store the excess power that can be used to help with acceleration.
The Wrangler is the most famous product of what is generally considered the most valuable brand of Fiat Chrysler – especially after the split of Ferrari as a separate company. The Wrangler is at the center of Jeep's image for its rugged off-road performance. Engineers and designers have had the challenge of staying true to this reality while making the new Wrangler as attractive as possible for those who drive it regularly on paved roads and highways.
The new Wrangler is performing well enough to provide a perfectly viable alternative to daily use to a crossover SUV closer to that of a car, Loh said.
The Genesis G70, winner of Hyundai, is intended to directly compete with compact luxury cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. This is the first time that a Korean brand wins the car award of the year.
Hyundai and its sister company Kia have made great progress in recent years to improve the driving pleasure of their cars. Now, they can credibly attack the best German brands, Loh said.
"It gives good grades: Punchy powertrains and agile chassis full of fun, sporty exterior styling, powerful graphics and a well-appointed interior," said Angus MacKenzie, Head of MotorTrend International Office.
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